Grass??? How to repair field..help me!!!!!!

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darkangel1243

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Hi,
I could really do with some help please.

I have just spent some time down in my summer paddock to find no grass
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.I mean no grass a bit of moss but mostly dry mud.

I could really do with some advice on what to put on it lime? broad spectrum fertilzer? Equine grass seed ?

Last year it was very healthy apart from all the thistle on it,the horses were only on it for about 3 months before bringing them up near the house for the winter.
I realise that I probably can't use it this summer but I really need to kick start it.

I will just have to use the spare paddocks and electric fence it as they don't have post and rail yet( note to self must start that when I get back).


Please please help I have tried to google but to no avail not sure exactly what to look under.
I really appreciate any help or thoughts.

Justinex
 
I would suggest you talk to a local agricultural advisor or a farmers cooperative who should be able to advise you. You can also have a sample of the soil analysed to find out what the pasture is lacking.

Fertiliser is normally spread early April, but it must be after the last frost.

Hope this helps a little.
 
If it was healthy last summer then in theory the roots are still there so should be trying to make spring grass now. It maybe that it could do with harrowing to allow some light and air into it and then treating with something like calcified seaweed to encourage the shoots up. The harrowing will help to pull the moss out of it too.
 
If it's really that bad it may be worthwhile to get a local farmer to spread a bit of muck on it and then plough it and re-seed it. Over sowing is never that good when a weedbase has taken hold.

However, personally I'd be tempted to wait and see what happens. My hens run was a muddy bald mess but it's greening over again now and it's not all weed as I expected, it's mostly grass.
 
first thing - talk to a local farmer and find out where locally you can get a soil test done

Unless you do this you could cause more harm than good by merely putting on any old fertiliser.

When you get the soil test results you will know what to put onto the soil in the way of fertiliser (possible need is potash)

Get a contract farmer to fertilise correctly around mid april and then get the field sprayed about 3 weeks later for weeds

rest it over the summer and you could have a bit of autumn grazing

you local feed merchants will supply good paddock mix to touch up any bald grass patches

moss is hard to get rid of - the correct way is to 'strine' it out with a mechanised rake - you could get this done if you don't mind not being able to graze the land

very important first step is a soil test.
 
Lime doesn't kill moss I'm afraid. You need a metal sulphate to do the job. I think we used zinc-sulphate...sorry can't remember. Sunshine and dry conditions also kill moss.

I'd leave the fields until they dry out and then have them power harrowed - this will bring up most unwanted moss patches.

Have a soil analysis done - then you will know exactly what your soil is lacking in and what you can use to help it.

Re-seeding works well, however I never do this on an established field until Autumn once the horses are moved out.

Good luck.
 
if you harrow it you risk ripping out what weak grass there is there - esp. if the roots are not well established

do NOT harrow it until you have spoken to a professional farmer.
 
Oh OK,
It was previously a very strong field grass wise but it seemed to hold the water really badly over the winter and now it has moss growing instead of grass.
I thought if I harrowed it would break up the moss and I could could go around with the quad and rake up the bad patches but I guess thats not the best root to go down then???

I'm away for 3 weeks so will it still be in the right time frame when I return after the soil test?? Do you know how long they take?

Thank you for all your help,I'm at a bit of a loss to this as the fields have always been good.
Justinex
 
The soil test can be done on the spot - it's just a case of getting it done (assuming the farmer has the kit - mine does)

You'll then need to organise purchase of the fertiliser

If the soil is poor draining it might need spiking rather than harrowing - but again - you need to talk to the farmer - the thing is - even if you know what to do - the kit to do it is expensive to maintain/buy - and it is overall cheaper to use a contractor - and that also means you don't have agri. equipment lying around where horses are

If you are away - is there any way your farmer can test the soil whilst you are gone - i.e. gain access to the problem field ? the 3 weeks - he should have the odd spare moment - and by organising it now you'll be booked into his diary to have the fertilising and spraying done as well (otherwise he may be busy with spring ploughing or whatever if he doesn't knowyou need his help)
 
Is your harrow a tine power harrow? I wouldn't use a metal regular harrow as you will just rip up the ground allowing space for more weeds to take root.

You need to wait until field is totally dry and then use a power harrow.
 
Its such a mind field I have always just rested over winter (Oct - April/May) never had a problem this time very strange I don't get it??.I guess I should thought about it sooner but with going away I have been slightly preoccupied.
So I guess I won't harrow until I have spoken to the "Local knowledge" to see whats what.
Thanks for the suggestion on fertiliser will see what they say.
Justinex
 
I have the regular metal chain harrow
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I shall get the local guys to came a have a reckky at it as we need them to look at another field that needs work to it to make a grazing paddock instead of Quad bike area!!
So they might be a bit more forecoming knowing there some money in it for them
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!!
 
Thanks will try to sort it for while I'm away.
Hopefully they won't to busy most of the field round here seemed to be sprouting up with crops already.
Once again thanks for your help,
I'm always looking to learn more regarding the fields my basic knowledge has seemed not got me very far
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We've just had several of our fieds analysed to see what would improve them.
The chap is an expert and does nothing else but visit farms to advise.
Calcified seawed came out as a front runner as an all round fertiliser, but price put it out of our reach. Instead we havespet £1200 on a compound fertiliser which will give us the minerals etc we are lacking. He explained you only get out what you put in.
I would harrow and roll your paddocks, then spread wih calcified seaweed.
If you 're just doing a small area it is worth the cost.
 
the old phrase is watching the grass grow
I learnt a lot from my contract farmer, knew a bit before that from being liveried on a farm for 8 years and 'taking an interest' and my own place was weeds holding piles of pooh up from being overgrazed (24 horse out 365 days a year on 8 acres for 5 years) before I bought it

as regards weeds - invest in a 1 gallon sprayer and a gallon of 2-4D and go round by hand spraying about 2 weeks after the farmer has sprayed - you need 5 hours of clear dry weather after even hand spraying for the weeds to absorb the chemical

now that my place is sorted mainly I merely hand spray - also means that areas that are pure grass have no chemical put on them

I took on 5 acres of weed infested setaside last year and it was grass by june - and it's amazing how much you achieve - one fill of a gallon lasts about an hour - do that a couple of times a week and your field will be weed free after 2 or 3 weeks and you get the satisfaction of walking around seeing the damn weeds dying - bit like polishing brass - you put in the effort and see a result

I quite like the hand spraying - you only wander around when it's a nice still sunny day - and you listen to the birds and watch the rabbits/butterflies/etc - peaceful
 
Could you please PM me his details as you can never have enough contacts
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.

Not sure if he would come up to us but he might know of someone in my area.

Is the seaweed very expensive?? its about 5 acre area.

Many thanks
Justinex
 
Cool I can do that!!
We have about 23 acres so that will keep me busy...
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I have 4 horses on livery with me so I gave them the 10 acre paddock to lookafter and maintain, which has left me with the rest which are smaller paddocks for my 2.
I just needed a kick in the behind to get the rest of the paddocks up to scratch,fenced and cut down the christmas tress that were left there from the previous owners.
At least I know know the way to go...
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Justinex
Sounds like I have let the grass grow under my feet or not ( excuse the pun
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)doesn't it.
 
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